What a season -- post resurrection. We are back on day ONE of the resurrection in this week’s passage. Back to the upper room and the return of the 2 disciples from the path to Emmaus and in the midst of their joyous telling of how Jesus was alive, the alive Jesus appears to them all, right there. What joy and fun Jesus was having with his followers. Appearing here and there, encountering and disappearing, He was, it appears, enjoying being with them, immensely. And today’s topic, the idea of seeing God in community is a tough one in a season of quarantine when we have less opportunity to SEE God in community together for we are not able yet to be together as we once were together.
But even if we cannot be together, we can remember. We can remember days together in community, sharing hugs, songs and the experience of the presence of God with us. We remember those moments when God descended upon the place bringing Word through one another, and expressing love.
Two images came to mind as I wrote that sentence, one was how Martha Tunall, on March 8th, our last week together testified to the presence of God with us. She spoke up in a quiet moment and said, “I just want to say God is here. There is a power of love in this place.” Do you remember? Were you there? When she began to speak, I thought, “Martha! It’s quiet now!” But as she spoke, it was clear to me and everyone, God had spoken to her and was speaking through her. Little did we know how much we would need that reminder!
And another was of Debbie Gabel taking the microphone to speak during worship. But as she opened her mouth, tears came first. And after they had come, this profound testimony of a Word from God for us all.
A third image just came of Jan Harlan standing and sharing her stories of sharing the love of Jesus with others, the boy in the park, the family from another country, the family at the strawberry stand. And most wonderful was the story of praying for God to help her find a certain bottle of perfume for her daughter’s birthday at Ross. She walked in and there, on the front counter, on the top shelf was exactly what she had looked for. As you can imagine this gift became an overflowing testimony to the cashier that day and a blessing emerged from that simple find.
We have experienced God together. We know what that is like. And we shall experience God again.
What I love of this appearance is the surprise, shock, joy, and fear of the disciples. Even after having seen Him already, to have Jesus appear, suddenly again still takes their breath away. Like laughter in the middle of tears, suddenly the atmosphere changed. The beauty of this scene, and how Jesus puts them at ease, even asking for some food, is captivating. Like the presence of God actually is. Remember to join in worship, connect in with the body, so that we can be together as closely as possible. And anticipate worshiping as a community again. Sunday 9 am!